Chapter 15
"Uncle… why did you betray our people—and our trust?" Cynthia's voice trembled with both fury and grief as she stared at Den, broken and bleeding.
Den coughed, blood staining his lips. "My little princess… the Nature Tribe was on the brink of collapse. Your father believed in peace, relying on that cursed portal. But I knew better. Someone had to take the bull by the horns. So I struck a deal with the Dark Tribe to save our people—even if it meant sacrificing your family and those loyal to them."
His eyes narrowed. "But the real reason was you. You're an abomination. You're a Nature Princess—yet both earth and water obey you. That should never be. You were never meant to exist. You should've been eliminated… or used as a weapon. But instead, your father assigned me to watch over you. Me… the one who should have destroyed you."
Cynthia stepped closer, her eyes firm. "I'm not an abomination. I'm just someone trying to protect her people. I'm sorry, Uncle… but your path was never the way."
Den let out one last breath before going still.
"Where is your brother—my father?" Cynthia asked.
"They're being held captive," Den whispered. "In the secret dungeon beneath Jacob's chamber. Jacob has been leeching power from your father and his brother for years. That's why destroying the Power House wasn't enough—his source of power lies elsewhere…"
And with that, he died.
---
Dark Hall
The battlefield shifted.
Many of the dark warriors had fallen. Those remaining scattered in fear. Other tribes, seeing the Dark Tribe weakened, switched sides and joined Esther's rebellion. Together, they stormed the Dark Hall.
Jacob sat proudly on his obsidian throne, unmoved by the chaos around him.
"Congratulations," he said coolly. "A wise move, defeating my armies. Any last words?"
Clare stepped forward, fire in her eyes. "Burn to ashes? Thorn through your heart? Buried alive? Or maybe drowned? Take your pick, dear uncle."
Jacob chuckled darkly. "Welcome, my children. I would have ordered a celebration to honor your grand entrance… if not for the unfortunate family reunion awaiting you."
"I'd say it's a fortunate one," Clare said defiantly, preparing her next move.
But before she could act, a ring of shadow surged around them—real Dark Elders emerged, cloaked in black and brimming with ancient energy.
"You don't understand anything about true power," one of them hissed. "Did you really think Jane betrayed us? That destroying the gemstone made any difference?"
He raised his hand.
"The real tabernacle… is living!"
The air around them thickened. Invisible hands wrapped around their throats. One by one, they began to collapse—powerless under the suffocating force of the Elders. Clare gasped for breath. Cynthia tried to resist. Philip was barely conscious.
Then a storm of fire and stone rained down from above, crashing into the Elders.
Arrows of ice pierced through their shadows.
The assault drove them back.
Jacob rose from his throne to retaliate—but was struck by a massive wave of combined elemental force: earth, fire, and ice.
He was hurled backwards, smashing his throne to pieces.
From the smoke stepped Eric, regal and glowing with power.
"Hello, Uncle," Eric said with a confident smile.
Jacob snarled. "Abomination… coming to save his people? How noble."
Old Esther raced toward Jane. "I knew you were a traitor," she spat. "That's why I never told you about Clare, Philip, and Cynthia!"
They clashed—ice against dark fire.
Meanwhile, Clare grabbed Cynthia's arm and dragged her toward the dungeon.
"Come on. We need to find your father and mine."
"You froze when you saw Eric," Clare teased breathlessly.
Cynthia blushed slightly, smiling.
"I really need that gist from Philip. So let's hurry up and survive this." Clare said
They ran into the shadows, as the final battle for Aethelgard raged on behind them.